Not Casemiro or Amrabat – Erik ten Hag admits one Man Utd star was “not good enough” as boss sends strong warning

Manchester United Cruise to 3-0 Victory in Carabao Cup, but Ten Hag Issues Warnings

Manchester United smoothly sailed into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a convincing 3-0 triumph against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

However, Dutch manager Erik ten Hag, despite the success, had a few words of caution for his players.

Ten Hag cautioned his Manchester United squad not to become complacent, despite their commanding performance in the Carabao Cup. The Red Devils secured consecutive victories after enduring a three-match losing streak. Goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro, and Anthony Martial sealed a comfortable win over Crystal Palace. Ten Hag emphasized the importance of staying focused on the next challenge, a Premier League match against Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The United manager also offered guidance to teenage winger Garnacho, suggesting that he must contribute more consistently to earn a regular spot in the starting lineup.

Ten Hag stated, “We dominated the game, had some excellent attacks, maintained control in possession, and scored impressive goals. We recognize that our current position is not where we want to be, so we must continue building, catching up, and focusing on the process and results. It’s crucial not to get ahead of ourselves. The upcoming game is the most significant one.”

He acknowledged the positive atmosphere within the team but stressed that disappointment and frustration are natural when Manchester United isn’t winning consistently. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of unity.

While Garnacho opened the scoring, Ten Hag provided a reality check for the 19-year-old by highlighting his inconsistent contributions in previous matches this season when he started.

“You saw at the beginning of the season that we played him, and his contribution was insufficient,” Ten Hag remarked. “However, he also had some promising moments. Even when he doesn’t perform at his best, you can always see that he poses a threat during the game.

“He needs to understand that when he fulfills his defensive responsibilities, he will always have moments to shine and make a difference due to his exceptional qualities. It’s not just about his off-the-ball work. Today, I want to see him making the right moves inside the box to finish.

“It’s entirely normal for a player of his age to have ample room for improvement. Everyone, including the fans and the team, holds him in high regard, but we also need to demand and push him to perform consistently at a very high level. He has the potential, and he must demonstrate it every day.”